Comments on: Japanese River Otter Extinction?https://cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/japanese-river-otter-extinction/
for Bigfoot, Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents and MoreTue, 13 Nov 2018 14:56:50 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8By: dogu4https://cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/japanese-river-otter-extinction/comment-page-1/#comment-81936
Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:29:17 +0000https://cryptomundo.com/?p=59262#comment-81936Would be interesting to see from the standpoint of genetics just how distinct this species of otter was from the general population of river otters which are widely dispersed throughout the circumpolar boreal regions of the hemisphere and considering how well connected Japan was to Eurasia in the not so distant past, geologically speaking. I agree that given their elusive natures and Japan’s topography, despite its dense human population, that small groups could be hangin’ on. Given the distinctive odor that river otters have (I know having had a family nesting beneath my cabin along a river once) one would think that a dog could be employed to hunt out the droppings better than humans depending on actual sightings.
]]>By: DWAhttps://cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/japanese-river-otter-extinction/comment-page-1/#comment-81930
Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:48:18 +0000https://cryptomundo.com/?p=59262#comment-81930Not a good topic on which to greet you back to the board, but welcome back.

This piece illustrates well both the reasons for and the pitfalls attending extinction declarations. This animal was known to exist, and has gone a long time without a verifiable sighting. But much in this game depends upon the intensity of the search and the confidence that all known potential habitat was properly canvassed.

There seems to be good reason to hold out hope in this instance. I knew that white-tailed deer populations in my area were at, maybe beyond, saturation when I actually started seeing them regularly. (When one comes upon a totally intact, freshly dead carcass in the woods, one REALLY knows there are probably too many.) By the same token, an animal’s numbers can fall below the threshhold at which they are readily detectable, while remnant populations continue their lives out of general sight, the impression of extinction helped along by the scientific inattention that follows an extinction declaration.

Once again, it always pays to make careful pronouncements and to keep an open mind. (Not to mention noting that commercial interests may have much to gain from extinction declarations.)